The Stages of Marketing Evolution in East European Countries.

The recent economic performance of East European countries rates from good to excellent. Commensurate with this performance, East Europe's trade with the West increased from $12.3 billion in 1970 to $37.6 billion in 1979. The U.S. share of this trade boom remained very small — about 10 per cent of the total. With the impressive growth rate that these countries have experienced, East Europe has become one of the most promising international trade markets for American businesses. Despite this potential, the characteristics of the East European market are not well known by American international marketers. It is of the utmost importance that the characteristics of this market are understood. Without knowing the characteristics and peculiarities of individual East European markets, very little can be expected with regards to cultivating the trade opportunities with the market. The economic system of Eastern Europe has gone through a significant evolution. Additionally, the countries of Eastern Europe do not have the same economic system since each has pursued a different economic development pattern.